The world, dear Agnes, is a strange affair.
MoliereRead
We are not accusing you of being illegal, we are accusing you of being immoral.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the distinction between legality and morality.
Margaret Hodge's quote emphasizes that while someone's actions may not necessarily be against the law, they can still be deemed unethical or immoral. This statement reflects the idea that legality does not equate to moral righteousness, urging individuals to consider the ethical implications of their actions beyond mere compliance with the law.
In practice
In a debate about corporate practices, you could use this quote to highlight the ethical responsibilities of businesses.
The world, dear Agnes, is a strange affair.
Some people are born good-looking. Some have the gift of gab. And some are lucky enough to be born smarter than the rest of us. Whether we like it or not, Mother Nature does not dole these characteristics out evenly.
The soul's dark cottage, batter'd and decay'd, Lets in new light through chinks that Time has made. Stronger by weakness, wiser men become As they draw near to their eternal home: Leaving the old, both worlds at once they view That stand upon the threshold of the new.
Hamilton had one of those extraordinary 18th-century minds that touched on virtually every major topic of the day.
Do not believe that others will die, not you.... I have wrestled with Thanatos knee to knee and I know how death is vanquished. Man's immortality is not to live forever; for that wish is born of fear. Each moment free from fear makes a man immortal.
I believe in the equality of man; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow-creatures happy.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.